NOUS41 KWBC 111823

PNSWSH

Public Information Statement, Comment Request

National Weather Service Headquarters Washington DC

223 PM EDT Fri Jul 11 2016

TO: Subscribers:

-Family of Services

-NOAA Weather Wire Service

-Emergency Managers Weather Information Network

-NOAAPORT

Other NWS Partners, Users, and Employees

FROM: John D. Murphy, NWS Chief Operating Officer

SUBJECT: Soliciting Public Comments Through August 11, 2016

On Updated Description of NWS Use of Twitter

The NWS has been using Twitter operationally as a supplemental

channel to disseminate environmental information and content

related to environmental education and preparedness since 2014.

Twitter is a commonly used social networking service that allows

participants to share information with other users.

Microblogging services like Twitter serve as an important source

of real-time news updates. The short nature of updates allows

users to post news items quickly, reaching their audience in

seconds.

Based on our experience using Twitter, NWS has updated the

description of its service via Twitter and is seeking comments

through August 11, 2016 on this updated document:

In particular, the document has been updated to clarify NWS

intent to include posts of short-fused watches/warnings/

advisories via Twitter when appropriate. NWS experience has

shown that occasional or automated posting of this content to

NWS office feeds or specialized content-specific feeds via

Twitter is an effective means of successfully communicating this

information. In addition, content-specific feeds better serve

the needs of our national partners whose interests are not

focused on a particular local office. Examples of Twitter

content providing short-fused alerts and content-specific feeds

include:

- National Tsunami Warning Center - @NWS_NTWC

- Experimental Severe Weather Impacts Graphics:

@NWSTornado, @NWSSevereTstorm, @NWSFlashFlood

Availability of this service is subject to constraints of

Twitter service availability and to availability of users'

Internet service. Users should not rely on this service as the

primary means of receiving alerts/warnings of hazardous weather.

NWS alerts/warnings are available on NOAA Weather Radio and on

our official website:

Responses to user posts are made on a time-available basis and

may be limited, especially during periods of severe weather.

Information on Twitter can be found at:

Disclaimers regarding NWS use of social media services can be

found at:

Comments on this update may be provided through August 11, 2016

at:

At the end of the comment period a decision will be made whether

to make this enhancement operational, extend the comment period,

or discontinue the enhancement.

If you have comments or questions regarding this Public

Information Statement, please contact:

Wendy Levine

National Weather Service

Silver Spring Maryland 20910

301-427-9062

National Public Information Statements are online at:

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